Cruz takes heat from fellow House Republicans

By Steve Kuhlmann

Updated 12:49 am, Friday, September 20, 2013

After coming under fire for urging House Republicans to stand fast on Obamacare even as he admitted defeat is likely in the Senate, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz vowed Thursday to do "everything necessary" - including a filibuster - to protect legislation that would defund the Affordable Care Act.

Cruz left some House Republicans fuming Wednesday after claiming Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid would most likely prove to be an impassable roadblock for his efforts in the Senate.

"Harry Reid will no doubt try to strip the defund language from the continuing resolution, and right now he likely has the votes to do so," Cruz said Wednesday. "House Republicans must stand firm, hold their ground, and continue to listen to the American people."

Tied to debt ceiling

Cruz's comments came just after Speaker John Boehner, under pressure from conservatives in his caucus, announced the House Republicans would tie a bill aimed at defunding the Affordable Care Act to the upcoming vote on the debt ceiling.

Jones said that more than likely, Cruz realized Reid had more than enough votes to get the resolution through the Senate without including any language that would defund the Affordable Care Act.

At that point, Jones said Cruz's statement served the dual purpose of reflecting reality as well as "to ratchet up pressure on the House."

"Now they are the only thing standing between the people and Obamacare," Jones said. "This is the last line of defense."

What Cruz did not count on was the backlash he would face from fellow Republicans when he put them in that position.

"We haven't even taken up the bill and Ted Cruz is admitting defeat?" said a senior GOP aide, according to the Huffington Post. "Some people came here to govern and make things better for their constituents.

"Ted Cruz came here to throw bombs and fundraise off of attacks on fellow Republicans. He's a joke, plain and simple."

After the frustrated response, Cruz was quick to return to his passionate rhetoric, even going so far as to evoke World War II British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in an interview on Fox News.

"And I can guarantee you one thing," Cruz said while on "Hannity." "Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and I are going to fight with every breath in our body.

"As Churchill said, we will fight on the beaches, we will fight on the streets. We will fight at every step to stop the biggest job killer in America.

Cruz's motive

With his fervor seemingly back, and Cruz vowing once again to fight all the way until the end, the question remains: Given the reality of the situation, what difference does his vow make?

"From a practical perspective it's not going to change anything," Jones said. "More than anything it just allows him to save face."

Jones said Cruz's renewed enthusiasm "wipes way the image of him throwing in the towel."

But it still leaves those in favor of defunding Obamacare short of votes in the Senate.

Even if Cruz and Lee mount a filibuster, they would need another 39 votes to block Reid.

When asked Thursday if he would attempt a filibuster, Cruz said, "I will do everything necessary and anything possible to defund Obamacare."